And a Mirror poll yesterday reflected the growing anger at the decision to give Margaret Thatcher a ceremonial send-off along the lavish scale of those the Queen Mother and Princess Diana had as national treasures.

Almost three out of five insist the procession, church service and security operation should be paid for by the former PM’s family – especially given her son Mark is worth an estimated £20million.

Only one in five agree the taxpayer should foot the bill for the funeral of a Tory ­politician who was the country’s most divisive leader – and who was worth £9.5million when she died.

No10 have refused to release official figures for what the event – organised in accordance with Lady Thatcher’s wishes – will cost.

Ministers will only reveal how much public cash was spent after the event, to avoid ­fuelling a fierce backlash with fears of protests along the route from Westminster to St Paul’s ­Cathedral.

Downing St said Lady Thatcher’s family will contribute but how much would be up to them.